Q. 368 Present status of Kargil to Skardu Road

(a) the present status of the proposed reopening of Kargil to Skardu Road to facilitate introduction of Bus Service for the benefit of the people of Ladakh and Gilgit on the lines of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Road;

(b) whether any time-frame has been decided between India and Pakistan for the introduction of this service;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the progress made in this direction?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (d) India has proposed to Pakistan for opening of a road link between Kargil and Skardu. During the meeting between Prime Minister and President of Pakistan on September 24, 2008 on the margins of United Nations General Assembly in New York, it was agreed that modalities for the opening of the Kargil-Skardu route would be discussed. Thereafter, the issue has been raised with Pakistan on a number of occasions. However, Pakistan has not yet agreed to open the route.